The power of open source

What is an open source?

Even some software developers doesn’t know the real meaning of open source. Open source software is a type of software that is always available for free. The source code (The actual code that define the routines of the software) is not made hidden from the users. The users and developers have right to make any changes to the code and to make it more functional. They also have right to redistribute it. This means, Open source provide the users complete right over the software.

Open source software is software that can be freely used, changed, and shared (in modified or unmodified form) by anyone. Open source software is made by many people, and distributed under licenses that comply with the Open Source Definition. According to the OSI (open source initiative) Open source software is a software with free distribution. The source code must be made publicly available through internet and anyone can modify it and redistribute it under the same terms as the license of the original software. The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons, for example it may not restrict the program from being used in a business, or from being used for genetic research. The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the program is redistributed without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties. OSI strictly governs and maintain the open source definition.

Open source code is typically created as a collaborative effort in which programmers improve upon the code and share the changes within the community. Open source sprouted in the technological community as a response to proprietary software owned by corporations. Mozilla community is an example for it.

Benefits of open source

Many developers believe that developing their applications in open source standard doesn’t makes sense. But this assumption is actually wrong. I think open source will provide good marketing options as compared to other methodologies. Open Source Software developers are evidently motivated by many factors but favouring features over quality is not noticeable amongst them. For many developers, peer review and acclaim is important, so it’s likely that they will prefer to build software that is admired by their peers. Highly prized factors are clean design, reliability and maintainability, with adherence to standards and shared community values preeminent. “The Open Source community attracts very bright, very motivated developers, who although frequently unpaid, are often very disciplined. In addition, these developers are not part of corporate cultures where the best route to large salaries is to move into management, hence some Open Source developers are amongst the most experienced in the industry. In addition all users of Open Source products have access to the source code and debugging tools, and hence often suggest both bug fixes and enhancements as actual changes to the source code. Consequently the quality of software produced by the Open Source community sometimes exceeds that produced by purely commercial organizations.

Open source organizations

Apache Software Foundation

The Apache Software Foundation provides organizational, legal, and financial support for a broad range of open source software projects. The Foundation provides an established framework for intellectual property and financial contributions that simultaneously limits contributors potential legal exposure.

Appnovation

Appnovation was founded in 2007 as a Vancouver based Drupal Development shop. Over the years, we have expanded to provide innovative solutions in the mobility and enterprise content management areas with SproutCore and Alfresco. We provide technology solutions to clients located all around the world. Our clients range from start-ups to multi-national companies.

Black Duck Software

Black Duck Software is the leading global provider of strategy, products, and services for enabling enterprise scale adoption of open source software (OSS). We believe the future of software development relies on the effective and informed use of open source software.

The Document Foundation

The Document Foundation is proud to be the home of LibreOffice, the next evolution of the world’s leading free office suite. It is an independent self-governing meritocratic entity, created by former leading members of the OpenOffice.org Community, in the form of a charitable Foundation under German law (gemeinnützige rechtsfähige Stiftung des bürgerlichen Rechts).

Free Software Foundation

Free software is about having control over the technology we use in our homes, schools and businesses, where computers work for our individual and communal benefit, not for proprietary software companies or governments who might seek to restrict and monitor us.

Kitware, Inc.

Kitware, Inc. creates and supports leading edge, high quality software in the fields of computer vision, medical imaging, visualization, 3D data publishing, and technical software development. Kitware employs an open source development model to foster extended, collaborative communities, and an open source business model to provide flexible, low-cost technical solutions.

Linux Foundation

Since its inception in 1991, Linux has grown to become a force in computing, powering everything from the New York Stock Exchange to mobile phones to supercomputers to consumer devices. The Linux Foundation is the nonprofit consortium dedicated to fostering the growth of Linux. Founded in 2000, the Linux Foundation sponsors the work of Linux creator Linus Torvalds and is supported by leading technology companies and developers from around the world.

Linux Magazine

Linux Magazine covers a range of topics related to IT technology and innovative open source solutions. Linux Magazine articles emphasizes real-life, practical techniques, which has helped make it the fastest growing Linux magazine worldwide.

Ohloh

Ohloh is a free, public directory of Free and Open Source Software and the contributors who create and maintain it. Ohloh Code is a publicly available, free code search site that indexes most of the projects in Ohloh. It is owned and operated by Black Duck Software.

OpenHatch

OpenPlans

OpenPlans builds open source civic infrastructure. We collaborate with the public sector to create technology for more efficient, responsive, and inclusive government. Our tools address difficult transportation and planning problems.

Open Source Geospatial Foundation

The Open Source Geospatial Foundation is an umbrella foundation for the support of collaborative development of open source geospatial software. All major GIS related software projects are involved; furthermore it includes educational outreach, public geodata and growing communities.

Open Source For America (OSFA)

Open Source for America (OSFA) seeks to raise awareness in the U.S. Federal Government about the benefits of open source software. OSFA hopes to encourage the government’s utilization of open source software participation in open source software projects, and incorporation of open source community dynamics to enable transparency.

Open Source Initiative

The Open Source Initiative (OSI) is a non-profit corporation with global scope formed to educate about and advocate for the benefits of open source and to build bridges among different constituencies in the open source community.

OpenCourseWare Consortium

The OpenCourseWare Consortium is a worldwide community of hundreds of universities and associated organizations committed to advancing OpenCourseWare and its impact on global education. OpenCourseWare (OCW) is a free and open digital publication of high quality university‐level educational materials.

Oregon State University (OSU) Open Source Lab

The Oregon State University Open Source Lab is the home of growing, high-impact open source communities. Its world-class hosting services enable the Linux operating system, Apache web server, the Drupal content management system and over 50 other leading open source software projects to collaborate with contributors and distribute software to millions of users globally.

Protecode

Protecode is a provider of open source adoption and management solutions which allow organizations to avoid potential licensing and security pitfalls associated with open source, enabling them to take full advantage of the benefits open source has to offer.

Public Laboratory

Public Lab is a community where you can learn how to investigate environmental concerns. Using inexpensive DIY techniques, we seek to change how people see the world in environmental, social, and political terms.

Red Hat

Founded in 1993, Red Hat is the leader in enterprise Linux and is the most recognized open source brand in the world. We serve global enterprises with technology and services made possible by the open source model.